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USPS Direct Mail Guide

Independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by USPS.

EDDM vs. Marketing Mail

Every Door Direct Mail® is technically USPS Marketing Mail too. The difference is how it's addressed. EDDM goes to every address on a route with no list, and regular Marketing Mail goes to the addresses on your list.

Checked 2026-11-07

Side by side

EDDM RetailMarketing Mail (addressed)
Who gets itEvery address on chosen routesAddresses on your list
List neededNoYes
Address line"Postal Customer" or "Residential Customer"Name or address on each piece
ShapeFlats onlyLetters or flats
Minimum200 pieces200 pieces or 50 lb
Permit and feesNonePermit plus $390 a year (and $390 to apply)
Postage$0.260 per flat$0.255 to $0.467 per letter, by sort level
Where it goes inThe Post Office for the routesThe office holding your permit, or further along the network

How to choose

Choose EDDM if your customers are "everyone near me". It suits restaurants, home services and local retail, especially when you don't have a list or don't want to buy one.

Choose addressed Marketing Mail if you know who you want: past customers, homeowners of a certain type, businesses in an industry. You pay more per piece but waste fewer.

Use both if you have a customer list and want to reach new neighbors too. Saturate the area around you with EDDM and mail your list as addressed Marketing Mail.

Is EDDM the same as Marketing Mail?

EDDM pieces are USPS Marketing Mail flats, but they're delivered to every address on a route instead of to a list.

Which is cheaper?

Per piece, EDDM Retail ($0.260) is close to the cheapest saturation Marketing Mail letter ($0.255). Addressed automation letters cost more, from $0.395 at 5-digit.

Can I send letters through EDDM?

EDDM Retail accepts flats only.